Swim cap with pocket

ABSTRACT

The invention provides swim caps comprising a pocket for holding an object. In certain embodiments the pocket is oriented on the swim cap such that an object placed in the pocket remains above water, or near the surface of the water, when the swim cap is worn while swimming. The swim caps are particularly suited for holding a global positioning satellite (GPS) device, such that satellite signal with the GPS device is maintained during swimming.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. 119(e), to provisional application 61/415,859, filed Nov. 21, 2010, which is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to swim caps.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Swim caps are well known for covering the head of a swimmer. Swim caps serve to reduce water resistance by enclosing the swimmer's hair within a tight, thin flexible skin that envelops the upper portion of the wearer's skull. Swim caps are also worn for identification and safety purposes during, for example, swim competitions, triathlons and open water swims.

In recent years, global positioning satellite (GPS) devices that allow for mapping routes and measuring distances have gained wide popularity in the athletic setting. Triathletes, for example, use GPS enabled watches to track progress during training and competitions. GPS satellite signals, however, are attenuated or blocked by water, leading to loss of signal to GPS watches worn during swimming, when a swimmer's wrist is beneath the water surface, leading to either inability to measure swimming distance or inaccurate measurement of swimming distance.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In certain aspects, a swim cap is configured to cover all or part of the crown of a swimmer's head and includes a pocket.

In certain aspects, the pocket is positioned on the swim cap to be on the crown of the swimmer's head when the swim cap is worn.

In certain aspects, access to the pocket is positioned towards the nape of the swimmer's neck when worn.

In certain aspects, access to the pocket is positioned on the side of the pocket that is perpendicular to the base of the skull.

In certain aspects, the pocket is positioned such that it remains above water when the swimmer is swimming in a face down position.

In certain aspects, the pocket is an integral part of the swim cap.

In certain aspects, the pocket is on the external surface of the swim cap.

In certain aspects, the pocket is formed by or includes a flexible and stretchy material that is configured to provide tension against an object within the pocket.

In certain aspects, the pocket is formed by or includes a mesh material.

In certain aspects, a flexible cushion is positioned beneath the pocket.

In certain aspects, the pocket includes a closure mechanism.

In certain aspects, the swim cap has 2 or more pockets.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 depicts a swimming cap with an external pocket.

FIG. 2 depicts a cross section through the pocket of the swim cap.

FIG. 3 depicts a swimming cap with an external pocket and a zipper closure on a side of the pocket.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

GPS watches fail to accurately record distance of an outdoor swimmer, due to loss of GPS signal when the swimmer's wrist is submerged. The problem of loss of GPS signal can be solved by keeping the GPS watch, or other device, above the water surface. The swim cap described solves the problem of loss of GPS signal while swimming, by positioning a GPS device above the water line, allowing for continuous GPS signal reception and accurate measurement of distance.

Referring to FIG. 1, in one embodiment of the invention, a swim cap (1) includes a pocket (2) on its external surface (6). The pocket (2) has a top surface (5) partially overlaying a bottom surface (3) and an opening (4) that allows access to the interior of the pocket (7) and a cushion layer (8) between the swim cap external surface (6) and the pocket bottom surface (3).

Referring to FIG. 2, shown in cross section, a cushion layer (8) is shown between the swim cap external surface (6) and the pocket bottom surface (3).

Referring to FIG. 3, a swim cap is shown, with an external pocket and a zipper closure (9) on the side of a pocket that is oriented perpendicular to the base of the skull, when the swimming cap is worn by a swimmer.

In certain aspects the invention provides a swim cap with a pocket that allows for continuous signal reception by a GPS device placed in the pocket. Signal reception is maintained because the pocket is positioned on the cap such that a GPS device contained therein is kept above the water surface or sufficiently near the water surface to maintain the signal. The pocket is positioned on the swim cap such that it is located on the crown (upper back) of the swimmers head.

The pocket is suitable for holding GPS devices, for example, and other objects. The pocket may be situated on the external surface of the swim cap. Alternatively, the pocket may be an integral part of the swim cap. The pocket includes an opening that allows access to its interior. The pocket opening is preferably oriented towards the back of the head, i.e., towards the nape of the neck, when the swim cap is worn. This allows easy access to the pocket opening and reduces water flow into the pocket when swimming.

The pocket may include a closure mechanism at its base or side. Closure mechanisms include, for example, zipper, zip-lock, slide fastener, Velcro, snap, and button, mechanisms. The swim cap pocket can also be designed to be waterproof in order to allow non-waterproof GPS devices and GPS watches to be utilized by the swimmer.

In a preferred embodiment, a swim cap comprises a pocket oriented towards the nape of the neck when the swim cap is worn, such that the pocket remains above water, or near the surface of the water when worn during swimming. In a further preferred embodiment, the pocket includes closure on the side, orientated perpendicular to the base of the skull. Most preferably, the closure mechanism for the pocket is a zipper.

The pocket is preferably constructed to snugly secure objects. Objects may be secured, for example, by constructing the pocket from flexible and stretchy material and/or mesh fabric that can conform to the shape of objects.

A secured cord may extend out from the opening of the pocket and contain a clasp on the end whereby the clasp can be attached to the GPS device or GPS watch as an added fail safe feature to secure the object to the swim cap.

Examples of items that may be placed in the pocket are a GPS receiver, GPS watch, MP3 player, sealed packets of food or energy gel.

In the event that a GPS device is placed in the pocket, it can either be started to measure distance before it is placed in the swim cap pocket or the user can place the GPS watch into the pocket, and simply press (through the flexible and thin outer pocket material, e.g., mesh fabric) the “start” button function for the GPS device. The GPS device can be stopped using the same methods described in this paragraph.

A flexible non-absorbent padded cushion may be placed beneath the pocket. The cushion alleviates possible pressure of an object in the pocket against the swimmer's head that may cause discomfort.

The swim cap and the pocket can be constructed from various materials or combinations of materials. Such materials include, for example, mesh fabric, latex, silicone, Lycra, laminated elastic or stretch fabric. In certain embodiments a pocket is constructed of mesh material. Such mesh material has the advantages of allowing for water drainage from the interior of the pocket. The water drainage and/or open weave of the mesh provides for improved signal reception during use and, additionally, provides for better visibility of an item in the pocket, which facilitates placing and removing objects into or out of the pocket.

The swim cap may also have more than one pocket. For example, side exterior pockets could hold energy gels or other items. 

1. A swim cap comprising a first portion configured to cover all or part of a crown (upper back) of a user's head and a pocket.
 2. The swim cap of claim 1 wherein when the swim cap is worn the pocket is positioned on the crown of the user's head.
 3. The swim cap of claim 2 wherein when the swim cap is worn an access to the pocket is positioned towards the nape of the neck.
 4. The swim cap of claim 2 wherein the pocket is positioned such that the pocket remains above a water line when the user is swimming in a face down position.
 5. The swim cap of claim 4 wherein the pocket is positioned such that the pocket remains above a water line when the user is swimming a freestyle (crawl) stroke.
 6. The swim cap of claim 1 wherein the pocket is integral to the first portion of the swim cap.
 7. The swim cap of claim 1 wherein the pocket is on an external surface of the first portion of the swim cap.
 8. The swim cap of claim 1 wherein the pocket comprises a flexible and stretchy material and/or mesh material configured to conform to and provide tension against an object within the pocket.
 9. The swim cap of claim 1 comprising a flexible cushion positioned beneath the pocket.
 10. The swim cap of claim 9 wherein the flexible cushion is a non-absorbent material.
 11. The swim cap of claim 1 wherein the pocket comprises a closure mechanism.
 12. The swim cap of claim 11 wherein the closure mechanism is selected from pressure fit, zipper, zip-lock, slide fastener, Velcro, snap, or button, or combination thereof.
 13. The swim cap of claim 12 wherein the closure mechanism is said zipper.
 14. The swim cap of claim 13 wherein said zipper is present on a side of the pocket that is oriented perpendicular to the base of the skull.
 15. The swim cap of claim 14 wherein the pocket is constructed of a mesh material.
 16. The swim cap of claim 1 wherein the pocket is configured to hold a global positioning satellite (GPS) receiver, GPS enabled watch, MP3 player, packet of food or energy gel.
 17. The swim cap of claim 1 constructed from latex, silicone, Lycra, a laminated elastic or stretch fabric or a combination thereof.
 18. The swim cap of claim 17 wherein a first portion of the swim cap and the pocket are constructed from different materials.
 19. The swim cap of claim 1 comprising 2 or more pockets.
 20. A swim cap comprising a pocket oriented towards the nape of the neck when the swim cap is worn, such that said pocket remains above water, or near the surface of the water when worn during swimming and said pocket comprises a zipper closure on a side of said pocket that is orientated perpendicular to the base of the neck. 